/**
 * PssNodeDescriptor.java
 * ************************** 
 * @date May 3, 2011
 * @author Michele Tamburini
 * 
 * **************************
 */
package gossipServices.basic.nodeDescriptors;

/**
 * Description: 
 * NodeDescriptor for the PeerSamplingService 
 * with the additional field of the age. 
 * Any service which has to use the age of a node
 * need this particular NodeDescriptor.
 *  
 */
public interface PssNodeDescriptor extends NodeDescriptor {

	/**
	 * Each NodeDescriptor in the PartialView is associated an age. 
	 * 0 is the freshest age and it means: now.
	 * During the draw of time (measured in cycles) it will increase.
	 * @return actualAge:Integer
	 */
	public Integer getAge();
	
	/**
	 * In each cycle of a gossip-based protocol the view
	 * must be increased in order to understand the 
	 * freshest ones.
	 */
	public void increaseAge();
}
